March 16-22 Is Flood Safety Awareness Week

DENTON, Texas –   Do you know what to do before, during and after a flood? Find out during Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-22. Emergency management experts will be reminding the public about the dangers related to flooding, ways to prepare for flood events and to prevent future damage from floods.

“Flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster and it can happen in any of our regional states,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson.  “Homeowners, renters and business owners should find out if their home or business is at risk for flood and then take steps to address that risk.”

Before a Flood
• Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

During a Flood
• Listen to local officials and monitor your local radio or television for information.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If it does, immediately move to higher ground. 
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to suddenly flood.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. Turn Around; Don’t Drown. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

After a Flood
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
• Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

Find more information on flooding, flood hazards, and flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov, http://www.ready.gov/floods and www.nws.noaa.gov/floodsafety/.

 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.    Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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March 16-22 Is Flood Safety Awareness Week

May 6-12 is Arson Awareness Week

May 6-12 is Arson Awareness Week 

Release Date: May 4, 2012
Release Number: R10-12-013

» 2012 Region X News Releases

SEATTLE, Wash. — National Arson Awareness Week is being observed May 6-12. This year’s theme is Prevent Youth Firesetting. According to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, we all need to join in a collaborative effort with fire and emergency service departmentsto zero in on the importance of helping reduce the occurrence of fires caused by children playing with fire.

“It’s important to set a good example for our children,” said Murphy. “Use matches, lighters, and fire carefully, as children will imitate adult behavior.”

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), fires started by children playing accounted for an average of 56,300 fires per year between 2005 and 2009, with associated annual losses of 110 deaths, 880 injuries and $286 million in direct property damage.

To help prevent children in your household from setting fires, never leave matches or lighters within their reach. Keep matches and lighters in high, locked cabinets. In addition, praise your child for practicing responsible behavior and showing respect for fire.

For more information on Arson Awareness Week and youth firesetter prevention, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw/.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Monday, 07-May-2012 14:29:17

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May 6-12 is Arson Awareness Week

Wildfire Awareness Week Reminds Texans to Get Prepared

Wildfire Awareness Week Reminds Texans to Get Prepared 

Release Date: April 6, 2012
Release Number: 4029-109, 1999-019

» More Information on Texas Wildfires
» More Information on Texas Wildfires

AUSTIN, Texas — Any time is a good time to safeguard your home and family against wildfires, but Texas’ April 9-13 Wildfire Awareness Week offers the perfect opportunity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State of Texas suggest Texans use the week to learn their wildfire risk and get prepared. 

“Wildfire Awareness Week is an opportune time to plan for wildfire season, especially with the continuing risk due to the state’s drought conditions,” said Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Educating yourself about the wildfire threat and taking steps to protect yourselves and your property could help prevent the kind of destruction Texas experienced last year.”

“Whether you own your home or rent, it’s important to have a plan in place to protect your personal property, family and pets from the devastation of a wildfire,” said Kevin Hannes, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for the 2011 Texas wildfire recovery missions. “Make a plan, build a disaster supply kit and stay informed. Those are the three key components to staying safe under any hazardous conditions.”

Those living in historically high-risk areas for wildfires or in the Wildland Urban Interface, an area where homes or other structures meet and mix with undeveloped, natural landscapes, should be particularly aware of their surroundings and make preparedness a top priority, said Hannes. It’s also good idea review your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy before a fire breaks out, he added.

FEMA and TDEM suggest taking proactive, preventative measures to protect a home against wildfire destruction, such as creating defensible space and hardening the home.

Defensible Space:

  • Create a fire-safe landscape zone ranging from 30 to 100 feet around the home.
  • Plant only fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees. Carefully space tree plantings to avoid creating pockets of fuel.
  • Create “fuel breaks,” such as driveways and gravel walkways.
  • Remove ground fuels like grass, leaves, pine needles, dead limbs and twigs within 30 feet of the home. Clear all flammable vegetation and other materials. Remove branches that extend over the roof or power lines. Mow grass regularly.
  • Trim all dead branches from trees in the yard and prune low hanging limbs to prevent fire from climbing to the crowns of the trees.

Harden the Home:

  • Use fire-resistant roofing material, such as ceramic or slate tile, or standing-seam metal roofing.
  • Protect the home’s eaves with stucco or plaster to prevent flying embers from starting a fire. Consider designing the home without overhangs or use fire-resistant soffits to protect it from embers and hot gases.
  • Ensure that exterior wall coverings are fire-resistant and not susceptible to melting. Concrete, fiber-cement panels or siding, stucco, masonry and metal are some recommended materials.
  • Use metal mesh screens to keep fast-flying embers out of vents and chimneys. Vents should also be made of metal.

FEMA’s resource, the “Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones,” www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3646, provides excellent information about wildfire behavior and recommendations for building design and construction methods in areas prone to wildfires. Additional information on preparing homes and families from wildfire threats is at www.wildlandfirersg.org/index.cfm.

Texans can follow FEMA tweets about wildfire recovery at www.twitter.com/femaregion6. Other online resources are blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Apr-2012 09:45:57

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Wildfire Awareness Week Reminds Texans to Get Prepared